Ozempic Face

Ozempic face - an unofficial term used for individuals who have lost a lot of fat from their face whilst using a GLP-1 weight loss drug. This includes Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro. The rapid weight loss may cause a hollowed out or aged appearance.

Understanding GLP-1 Medications and Their Role in Weight Loss

GLP-1 receptor agonists are used for the reduction of body fat in eligible individuals. Ozempic differs to Wegovy and Mounjaro in that it is the only one not licensed as a weight loss medication in the UK and is instead licensed for diabetes. Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide whereas Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.

By tricking the body into thinking GLP-1 levels are high, these medications help to promote weight loss by:

• Slowing down stomach emptying.

• Reducing hunger cues.

• Improving blood sugar levels.

• Reducing glucose release from the liver.

Mounjaro also mimics another hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which works in a similar way to control blood sugar levels and make you feel less hungry.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are suitable for individuals who are overweight or struggling with obesity. This is defined as a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 with a weight-related health condition like high blood pressure or heart disease. Importantly, these medications should be used along with making changes to your diet and exercise routines for the best results.

Mounjaro and Wegovy can promote effective weight loss with 78.2% of people losing 15% or more of their starting body weight when taking the highest dose of Mounjaro for 72 weeks. Wegovy is almost as effective, helping 53.4% of patients lose 15% or more of their starting body weight in 68 weeks.

As weight loss can be rapid with these drugs, this can lead to a problem that's unofficially known as Ozempic face.

What Causes Ozempic Face

Ozempic face occurs as a result of rapid weight loss and in particular, fat loss from the face. The phenomenon is most likely due to rapid weight loss rather than the medications themselves.

The face can take on a gaunt appearance due to the loss of fat, with hollowing of the cheeks and increased wrinkling due to lack of fat underneath. With rapid weight loss, you can also lose muscle, elastin and collagen, leading to excessive sagging skin.

Lack of fatty acids, vitamins and minerals due to reduced appetite and eating fewer of the important nutrients may also contribute to the skin changes seen with Ozempic face.

You're more at risk of Ozempic face if you're losing weight very quickly, especially if it's significant weight loss.

Recognising the Signs of Ozempic Face

Rapid weight loss can really alter your facial appearance and even cause you to look prematurely aged.

Common facial effects include:

• More defined lines and wrinkles.

• Changes in the cheeks, lips, and chin.

• Sunken eyes.

• Sagging skin around the neck and jaw.

• Hollowed out appearance of the cheeks.

The facial changes seen are similar to those seen with the natural ageing process, but can appear at a much younger age than they would normally. Changes also occur much more quickly than they would with natural ageing.

People who lose a massive amount of weight in a short amount a time look an average of 5 years older when compared to other people their age.

Preventing Ozempic Face During Weight Loss

Gradual, sustainable weight loss is less likely to impact the appearance of your facial skin. It's important to consider this before you try to lose weight, because even if you regain weight your skin may not return to its original shape and appearance.

Although controversial, there is some evidence that facial muscle exercises can help maintain a youthful appearance when ageing. There are no studies testing out whether this works during weight loss to prevent premature facial ageing, but is a non invasive option that patients may try.

How much water you drink is important for human skin hydration. The NHS recommends to drink between 6-8 glasses of water daily, or roughly 2L. When losing weight, ensure to maintain hydration to maintain skin elasticity.

The importance of a balanced diet cannot be understated. Even whilst on weight loss treatments which may ask for a specific diet, it is important to ensure you are consuming enough calories and all the vitamins and minerals required to stay healthy.

There is some evidence suggesting vitamins A, B3, C, D and E play a role in reducing skin ageing and UV damage. A diet rich in proteins is also important to support normal skin function and skin repair.

Treatment Options for Ozempic Face

Let's learn more about the treatment options to improve facial appearance after rapid weight loss. Although effective, they're not usually offered on the NHS.

Non-surgical Interventions

Dermal fillers are a non-surgical way to restore volume to parts of your face where you've lost fat or muscle. This technique involves injecting non-toxic fillers into areas of the face for a fuller appearance. Although fillers can improve facial appearance, it's best to wait until you're close to your target weight before considering them, as they may not be effective if you continue to lose more weight from your face.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is used for skin rejuvenation and to help improve the appearance of wrinkles. This involves taking blood from a vein in your arm, separating the platelets and then injecting them into target areas of your face. Studies suggest it's particularly effective for wrinkles around the eyes.

Radiofrequency treatments, micro needling and laser skin tightening treatments are other ways used to improve skin appearance and to promote elastin and collagen production.

Surgical Options

A facelift (or even a neck lift) can smooth out wrinkles and remove excess skin that is present after weight loss. This procedure involves surgically pulling back the skin on the face and/or neck to help skin look smoother and tighter.

Another option is a fat transfer procedure. As the name implies, this involves removing fat from one part of the body and injecting into another part to fill wrinkles or reduce a sunken appearance in a particular area. If you're unhappy with how your face looks after losing weight and you're thinking about cosmetic treatments or plastic surgery, make sure to do your research. These treatments aren't usually available on the NHS, it's important you choose a trusted, legitimate provider.

The best way to avoid treatment is to avoid a rapid loss of weight. This can be achieved by planning a gradual weight loss journey before initiating treatment. Our clinicians at Quick Meds are optimally placed to provide specific advice on how to achieve this and may even be a case of monitoring how quickly you escalate up the dosage regime.

Although many people worry about regaining their lost weight, some people think this will improve their facial appearance. This may not be the case and usually skin doesn't return to how it was before you lost weight.

Addressing Concerns About Weight Regain After Stopping GLP-1 Medications

Many people will regain weight after stopping taking their tirzepatide or semaglutide treatment, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of this.

Manageable lifestyle modifications incorporating a healthy, balanced diet and an exercise regime can help not only during your weight loss journey but also help to keep the weight off when you come off the treatment. Those most likely to regain weight are those who make unrealistic changes which cannot be maintained in the long run. This can also support your skin health.

Quick Meds: Your Partner in Weight Loss Treatments

Here at Quick Meds, we are a GPhC registered online pharmacy. As part of our weight loss programme, we offer prescription weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Before a prescription medication is supplied, each patient must complete an online consultation. This is reviewed by the prescribers, who may also request additional information to facilitate the safe processing of your order. This allows a personalised approach and ensures each patient is getting the best treatment for them.

Our attentive team of healthcare professionals are there to provide comprehensive support throughout your weight loss journey, not just at the beginning. Feel free to contact us at any point in your journey and we will endeavour to help in every way we can.

Interested in starting your journey today? Our team can advise you on the safest and most sustainable way for you to lose weight with the help of weight loss medications.

Key Takeaways

Although medications play a significant role in helping achieve weight loss, rapid weight loss can cause your face to appear older more quickly, with more defined wrinkles, more lines, dark circles and loose skin - otherwise known as Ozempic face.

Aiming for a gradual loss of fat in a sustainable way can help reduce the risk of this occurring. This can be achieved alongside a balanced diet, an exercise plan and a sufficient water intake, i.e. manageable lifestyle modifications to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight gradually.

FAQs